Deep-sea exploration relies on cutting-edge technology, which generally requires expensive instruments, highly-specialized technicians and ship time. The increasing need to gather large-scale data on the distribution and conservation status of deep-sea benthic species and habitats could benefit from the availability of low-cost imaging tools to facilitate the access to the deep sea world-wide. In this context, the Azores Deep-Sea Research group developed the Azor drift-cam, a cost-effective video platform designed to conduct rapid appraisals of deep-sea benthic habitats. Built with off-the-shelf components, the Azor drift-cam should be regarded as an effective, affordable, simple-to-assemble, easy-to-operate, resilient, operational and reliable tool to visually explore the deep sea to 1,000 m depth. The main purpose driving this technological development is to democratise deep-sea exploration by sharing a simple yet versatile tool that can be used to survey shelf and deep-sea habitats on board of small local vessels. The system does not aim to become a substitute for more sophisticated underwater video and photography platforms, such as ROVs, AUVs or manned submersibles. Rather, it aims to provide the means to perform quick assessments of deep-sea benthic habitats in a simple and affordable manner. This drift-cam system has the potential to make deep-sea exploration more accessible, playing an important role in the Deep-Ocean Observing Strategy and measuring some of the Essential Ocean Variables for deep-sea monitoring and conservation strategies.